Sheet stacking machine



y 1968 D. A. TURNER 3,381,829

SHEET STACKING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. D GLAS A.TURNER m BY ATTORNEY y 1968 D. A. TURNER I 3,381,829

SHEET STACKING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet S ENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER FIG. 4 BY W/ M ATTORNEY y 1968 o. A. TURNER 3,381,829

SHEET STACKING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY May 7, 1968 o. A. TURNER SHEET STACKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 22, 1966 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY 3,381,829 SHEET STACKING MACHINE Douglas Andrew Turner, Salem, Ohio, assignor to Towlsaver, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Mar. 22, I966, Ser. No. 536,328 4 Claims. (Cl. 2146) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sheet stacking machine incorporating oppositely disposed longitudinally extending rows of spaced wheels arranged to simultaneously engage the upper and lower surfaces of the longitudinal edges of a cut section of sheet material so as to support the same and prevent bowing of the same between said rows of spaced wheels.

This invention relates to a sheet stacking machine, and more particularly to a machine which will receive cut sections of sheet material such as sheet steel as it is delivered from a mill and stack the respective cut sections in superimposed relation in a desirable stacked assembly.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a sheet stacking machine that may be quickly and easily adjusted for receiving, stopping and stacking sheets of various lengths and widths.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a sheet stacking machine that will receive cut sections of sheet material longitudinally of the edges thereof and support the individual sheets while bringing them to a stop and then lower them onto a uniformly sized stack without damaging the edges of the sheets.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sheet stacking machine that will operate at a rate comparable with the rate of production and shearing of sections of sheet material, for example, sheet steel as produced by a rolling mill.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sheet stacking machine incorporating oppositely disposed longitudinally extending rows of spaced wheels arranged to simultaneously engage the upper and lower surfaces of a cut section of sheet material longitudinally of the edges thereof, so as to support the same and prevent bowing of said out section of sheet material.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a sheet stacking machine having horizontally spaced oppositely disposed means for receiving the longitudinal edges of cut sections of sheet material and holding them momentarily and then simultaneously revolving on their longitudinal axes so as to release said out section of sheet material and lower it to a stack therebelow.

The sheet stacking machine disclosed herein comprises an improvement in the art relating to such machines and more particularly with respect to the means actually engaging the cut sections of sheet material whereby the same are stopped, positioned and lowered onto a stack. In machines heretofore known in the art the cut sections of sheet material have frequently been damaged either at their ends or along their longitudinal sides where they were engaged by the machine and subsequently positioned for stacking. In the present invention the machine receives the longitudinal edges of each cut section of sheet material, for example, sheet steel so as to hold the section of sheet steel against undo bending or sagging and at the same time prevent damage to the edges thereof. The action of the machine is such that it slows down the cut section of sheet material, brings it to a stop at a predetermined position and then lowers it to a stacked position. The sheet stacking machine disclosed herein is quickly dfiiiifiw Patented May '5, 1968 and easily adjustable as to the width of the cut sections of sheet material to be received as well as to the length thereof and will thus receive position and lower such cut sections of sheet material into highly desirable stacked relation on a conveyor surface so that they may be banded and removed conveniently therefrom.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being the intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective elevation looking into the delivery end of the sheet stacking machine.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical section on line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal section on line 4-4 of FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5 of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a similar vertical section showing the rotary motion of the portion of the sheet stacking machine seen in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical section on line 77 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation on line 88 of FIG- URE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical section on line 99 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 10 is a vertical section on line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.

By referring to the drawings and FIGURE 1 in particular it will be seen that a sheet stacking machine has been disclosed which comprises a horizontal framework 10 including a plurality of transverse and interconnecting members 11 which form a base for a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending sheet receiving and lowering mechanisms each of which includes a frame 12, a sheet engaging guide 13 and a horizontally disposed longitudinally extending rotatable star wheel assembly 14. The sheet receiving and lowering mechanisms including the frame 12 are positioned on tubular guides 15 which are slidably supported on transversely extending support rods 16 so that each of the sheet receiving and lowering assemblies including the frame 12 can be moved toward and away from one another.

Positioned between the frame 12 there are a pair of longitudinally extending conveyor assemblies of the roll type and generally indicated by the numerals 15. These conveyor assemblies 15 are spaced with respect to one another so as to form a longitudinally extending channel 2.6. A carriage having a vertically extending arm 17 is movably disposed in the channel 16 as hereinafter described. The arm 17 is arranged to engage the back of a stack of sheets deposited on the conveyor assembly 15 and move the same forwardly as seen in FIGURE 1 and out of the sheet stacking machine.

A plurality of upright frames 18 including transversely extending overhead portions 19 are positioned in spaced relation along the outer longitudinal sides of the sheet stacking machine and support a secondary longitudinally extending channelway 29 in spaced vertical relation to the horizontal channel 16 and directly thereabove. A secondary carriage 21 is movably positioned in the channelway 2d and includes 21 depending secondary arm 22 which serves as a forward stop for out sections of sheet material received by the sheet stacking machine as hereinafter described.

Still referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, it will be observed that the delivery line of the cut sections of sheet material, for example, pieces of sheet steel is substantially above the upper end of the arm 17 and above the lower end of the depending arm 22 and on a horizontal plane coinciding with the upper surfaces of the plurality of longitudinally spaced wheels 23. In such position the offset row or plurality of wheels 24 will engage the upper edges of the section of sheet steel and thus prevent the section from bowing transversely as it is supported on the oppositely disposed rows of wheels 23.

By referring to FIGURE 2 of the drawings broken lines indicate the position of a section of sheet material moving into the sheet stacker on the wheels 23 and immediately below the wheels 24. The representation of the section of sheet material is indicated by the letter S.

By referring now to FIGURE 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the conveyors 15 are positioned with their discharge ends in elevated relation to their opposite ends and that cut sections of sheet material received by the machine and deposited on the conveyors to form a stack as shown by broken lines in FIGURE 2 will thus form the stack adjacent the arm 17. The broken line representation of the cut section of sheet material S shows the same being received by the sheet stacking machine between the offset rows of wheels 23 and 24 and it will be observed that as the section of sheet material S enters the machine it moves from left to right until its forward edge engages the depending arm 22 which is mounted on the carriage 21 as heretofore described.

By referring now to FIGURES 7 and 8 of the drawings it will be seen that the carriage 21 includes two pairs of flange engaging wheels 25 engaging the oppositely disposed inturned flanges of the channel 20 and supporting the carriage 21 which has a transverse section 27 below the longitudinal channel 20. A shaft 28 having a pair of gears 29 thereon is positioned in a passageway in the transverse section 27 and positions the gears 29 for engagement with racks 30 formed on the bottom of the flanges defining portions of the longitudinally extending channel 20. The shaft 28 extends outwardly of one end of the section 27 of the body member 26 and has a sprocket 31 thereon which is driven by a chain 32 extending over a secondary sprocket 33 which is affixed to and in effect forms a part of a hand wheel 34 journalled on a stub shaft 35. The stub shaft 35 is positioned on an upward extension 36 of the section 27 of the body member 36. It will be seen that by rotating the hand wheel 34 as by means of a handle secured thereto the gears 29 will revolve and engage the racks 30 and thereby move the carriage 21 longitudinally of the channel 20. The depending arm 22 is thus conveniently and easily positioned in proper location for engaging and stopping the cut sections of sheet material S which are being delivered into the machine. The carriage 21 incorporates a control switch 37 which is positioned immediately above the free end of the depending arm 22.

By referring to FIGURE 8 of the drawings it will be seen that the depending arm 22 is pivoted as by a pivot 38 to a bracket 39 on one end of the carriage 21 and that the motion of the cut section of sheet material engaging the depending arm 22 Will move it from the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 8 to the position shown in broken lines whereupon the switch 37 is actuated. The switch 37 is used to control the star wheel assembly 14 of sheet receiving wheels 23 and 24 as best seen in side elevation in FIGURE 2 of the drawings and in cross sectional elevation in FIGURES and 6 of the drawings.

By referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6 of the drawings it will be seen that when the cut section of sheet material S enters the sheet stacking machine its lower surface inwardly of its longitudinal edges is supported upon the oppositely disposed rows of Wheels 23 and its upper surface along its longitudinal edges are engaged by the oppositely disposed rows of wheels 24. The rows of wheels 23 and 24 are secured to a generally X-shaped frame 49 which has a central box section secured to a longitudinal shaft 41. Each of the four portions of the X-shaped frame 40 carries two rows of cooperating wheels. As seen in FIGURE 5 of the drawings the rows of wheels 23 and 24 are in position to receive and retain the edge of the cut section of sheet material S.

By referring to FIGURE 6 it will be seen that when the star wheel assembly is rotated counterclockwise, and it will be recalled that its counter part star wheel assembly on the opposite side of the machine simultaneously rotates clockwise, the section of cut sheet material S is dropped as the row of wheels 23 moves out from under the edge thereof. At the same time a secondary row of supporting wheels 23A moves into sheet receiving position as does the corresponding offset row of wheels 24A which will then engage the upper edge of the next cut section of sheet material directed into the machine. It will be seen that there are four sets of sheet receiving and holding wheels and that these progressively move into operative position. The third set comprising the wheels 23B and 24B and the fourth set comprising the wheels 23C and 24C.

By again referring to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the longitudinally extending shaft 41 extends out of the opposite ends of the star wheel assembly 14 and is journalled at the front and back of the machine and provided at the back or delivery end thereof with means for rotating the same as best seen in FIG- URES 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. In FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the means for rotating the star wheel assembly 14 are positioned on outward extensions of the frame 12.

In FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings the actual mechannism for imparting controlled rotary movement to the star wheel assembly 14 may be seen. The mechanism comprises an indexing cylinder 42 having a piston rod 43 extending therefrom and carrying an indexing member 44 on its outward end. The indexing member 44 is adapted to register with a notch 45 in the periphery of an indexing wheel 46 which in turn is mounted on a drive shaft 47 alongside a gear 48 also mounted thereon and adjacent a bearing 49. The drive shaft 47 is journalled in bearings 50 mounted on the frame 12 and is connected by a flexible coupling 51 with a driven shaft 52 which in turn carries a gear 53 thereon. The gear 53 is in mesh with a secondary gear 54 which in turn is secured to the end of the shaft 41 of one of the star wheel assemblies 14. The size of the gears 54 and 53 is such that one revolution of the gear 53 rotates the gear 54 one-quarter of a revolution and thus the indexing wheel 46 controls the indexing of the star wheel assembly 14 moving it successively through the four positions as hereinbefore described and illustrated in connection with FIGURES 5 and 6 of the drawings. Means to impart rotating motion to the drive shaft 47 is provided by a secondary cylinder 55 which has a piston rod 56 driving a rack 57 which is engaged with the gear 48. The arrangement of the gear 48, the indexing wheel 46 and the bearing 49 is such that driving motion is imparted to the drive shaft 47 in one direction only as when the cylinder 55 moves the rack 57 in one direction. The retracting motion is not imparted to the drive shaft 47.

It will occur to those skilled in the art that the means for rotating the star wheel assembly 14 on the right hand side of the sheet stacking machine as seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings and illustrated in detail in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings is duplicated on the left side of the machine as seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. Each of the frames 12 on the opposite sides of the conveyors 15 are also provided with means for moving the guide members 13 toward and away from the sides of the conveyor 15 and any cut sections of sheet material such as steel sheets that may be positioned thereon. In order that a stack of sheets on the conveyors 15 may be moved out of the device, toward the front of the machine as seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings or to the right as seen in FIGURE 2, the arm 17 is mounted On a secondary carriage 59 which in turn is provided with wheels 16 as best seen in FIG- URES 9 and 10 of the drawings and which carriage 59 is thus movably positioned in the longitudinal channel 16 formed between the conveyors 15.

By referring to FIGURES 9 and 10 of the drawings it will be seen that the carriage 59 is arranged to be moved by a chain 61 which chain is trained over oppositely disposed pairs of gears 62 in the ends of the channel 16. The chain 61 is energized by a motor 63 which drives a sprocket 64 engaging the chain as seen in FIGURE 9 of the drawings. Thus, energization of the motor 64 will move the chain 61 and cause the carriage 59 to move the arm 17 longitudinally of the channel 16 and this motion will move the stack of sheets to the right as seen in FIGURE 9 and out of the machine.

Operation In operating the sheet stacking machine disclosed herein the several components thereof are preset to the size of the sections of the cut sheet material which are to be received and stacked thereby.

The carriage 21 with its depending arm 22 is moved by rotating the hand wheel 34 to position the depending arm 22 at the extreme forward end of the section of cut material. In other words, the length of the sheet to be stacked. The frames 12 are moved toward or away from one another to accommodate the particular width of the sheets being stacked and the guides 13 are retracted into the the frames 12. The secondary carriage 59 is moved to the extreme left of the machine as seen in FIGURES 2 and 9 or to the back of the machine as seen in FIGURE 1 and and the sheets being delivered to the machine for stacking thus enter the machine from the back as seen in FIG- URE I and slide between the vertically spaced horizontally offset rows of wheels 23 and 24 and move forwardly into the machine until they engage the depending arm 22. This action moves the arm 22, trips the switch 37 and the control mechanism responsive thereto energizes the cylinders 42 and 55 thus releasing the indexing members 44 and rotating the star wheel assemblies 14 through one-quarter revolution. The star wheel assembly at the right of the machine as seen in FIGURE 1 rotates counterclockwise and the star wheel assembly at the left in FIGURE 1 rotates clockwise. The sheet is thus positioned in the machine and dropped onto the conveyors in front of the arm 17. The next sheet enters the star wheel assemblies, is stopped by the arm 22, the star wheel assembliies revolve a quarter turn and drop the sheet on the stack being formed. This continues until a desired number of sheets are positioned on the stack whereupon the secondary carriage 59 is moved by energization of the motor 64 and the stack of sheets is moved out of the sheet stacking machine.

It will occur to those skilled in the art that it will be necessary to convey fluid pressure to the various operating mechanisms and for this purpose flexible connection lines extend from the cylinders 42 and respectively, the means for actuating the guides 13 and the cylinders for actuating the frame 12 to a suitable source of fluid power not shown. The flexible lines conveying the fluid power to the cylinders 42 and 55 respectively on either side of the machine are illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings and indicated by the numerals 65, 66, 67 and 68, respectively.

It will thus be seen that a sheet stacking machine meeting the several objects of the invention has been disclosed and having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A sheet stacking machine having spaced parallel sections positioned to engage the opposite edges of sheets delivered thereto, each of said sheet engaging sections comprising at least two longitudinally extending spaced offset rows of sheet engaging wheels arranged in vertical planes perpendicularly above and below a horizontal sheet receiving line so as to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet simultaneously, mounting means wherein said rows of sheet engaging wheels are movable in arcuate paths extending out of said sheet receiving line so as to disengage the opposite edges of sheets delivered thereto when moved.

2. A sheet stacking machine for receiving and stacking steel sheets or the like and comprising spaced oppositely disposed sheet receiving sections, each of which includes longitudinally extending spaced offset rows of wheels arranged in vertical planes perpendicularly above and below a horizontal sheet receiving line, mounting means wherein said sheet receiving sections are rotatable on their longitudinal axes and arranged for movement toward and away from one another and means for imparting rotary motion to said sheet receiving sections.

3. The sheet stacking mechanism set forth in claim 2 including a sheet stopping device, a control mechanism for said means imparting rotary motion to said sheet receiving sections, said control mechanism being responsive in operation to said sheet stopping device, said means imparting rotary motion to said sheet receiving sections being responsive in operation to said control mechanism.

4. The sheet stacking machine set forth in claim 2 and including indexing devices connected with and controlling the relative positions of said sheet receiving sections.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,019,843 11/ 1935 Clark. 2,374,174 4/ 1945 Buccicone. 2,73 3,921 2/ 1956 Downs. 3,126,657 3/1964 Hajos.

OTHER REFERENCES 1,035,057, German printed application July 24, 1958, Ungerer.

ROBERT G. SHERIDAN, Primary Examiner. GERALD M. FORLENZA, Examiner.

R. J. SPAR, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,381,829 May 7, 1968 Douglas Andrew Turner It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading to the printed specification, lines 3 to 5, "Salem, Ohio, assignor to Towlsaver, Inc., Los Angeles, \Calif., a corporation of California" should read P. O.

Box 109 Salem, Ohio 44460 Signed and sealed this 28th day of October 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, J R.

Attesting Officer V Commissioner of Patents 

